Hi, I'm completely new to the concept of lucid dreaming - I only stumbled across this site yesterday after having a dream discussion with some friends but am fascinated! I hope you don't mind me asking a few questions.

I spent all day yesterday reading about lucid dreaming and have been doing the hourly reality checks which are quite fun! I have very good dream recall and often keep records of my dreams anyway, so I thought I'd try this last night.

I had 6 dreams and I think my 3rd one was lucid - I woke up from a dream and was talking to my flatmate, then realised she wasn't in the country so I couldn't be talking to her. I recognised I was dreaming and immediately woke up for real.

I have read the tips on here about remaining calm to keep the dream and spinning etc but I didn't even get the chance to get excited or surprised, i woke up so quick! Is that normal/common? How long did it take you to be able to remain in the dream?

How often do you do reality checks? And how long did it take for you to carry the habit with you to your dreams?

I am a smoker but surprisingly I never smoke in my dreams! So I was wondering if this technique is likely to work for me - I am definitely going to try it anyway.

One more question, what is the connection, between astral projection and lucid dreaming? I read about this in another thread but am confused as to weather people view the two as the same thing or not.

Sorry for the rather long post just a little over excited!!